The Twilight Sessions will return early next year to Melbourne and Taronga Zoos following the success of this year’s string of shows, which included Charles Bradley and Neko Case. Set to play at both zoos in 2015 between January and March are Bernard Fanning, Dan Sultan, Sarah Blasko, Paul Kelly presenting the Merri Soul Sessions, and Conor Oberst, with supports at each show to come from numerous local acts.
The Twilight Sessions began at Sydney’s Taronga Z00 in 1996 – making 2015 its 19th year. With over 350 concerts having been played since its beginnings, Taronga Zoo’s Twilight Sessions have seen around 500, 000 patrons attend over the years. At both the Melbourne and Taronga sessions, the zoo usually stays open throughout the concerts; allowing for an experience in both music and anamalia for the price of just one ticket.
The rest of the acts vary between zoos — The Village People will play at the Melbourne Zoo Twilight Sessions whilst in the country for Golden Plains Festival, while Björn Again will charm the lawns of Taronga. The sessions will start in both cities on January 30th, with the Melbourne series running until March 7th and the Taronga one running until March 21st. Tickets for the Melbourne sessions went on sale this morning (zoo members receive a 20% discount until November 3rd), while tickets for the Taronga shows will go on sale at 9am on October 31st. The full line-ups for both Twilight Sessions are below:
MELBOURNE
Friday January 30 – JAMES REYNE PLAYS AUSTRALIAN CRAWL, with special guest Jack Carty
Saturday January 31 – BERNARD FANNING, with special guests Little May
Friday February 6 – SARAH BLASKO, with special guest Luluc
Saturday February 1 – PAUL KELLY PRESENTS THE MERRI SOUL SESSIONS, featuring Clairy Browne, Kira Puru, & Vika and Linda Bull, with special guests Hiatus Kaiyote
Friday February 13 – DAN SULTAN, with special guest Benny Walker
Saturday February 14 – BOYS IN THE BAND
Friday February 20 – THE BUDOS BAND and The Bombay Royale
Saturday February 21 – SPIDERBAIT, with special guest Jen Cloher
Friday February 27 – STEPHEN MALKMUS AND THE JICKS, with special guests Twerps
Saturday February 28 – CONOR OBERST, with special guests The Felice Brothers
Friday March 6 – THE VILLAGE PEOPLE, with special guest DJ Andee Frost
Saturday March 7 – THE CAT EMPIRE, with special guests Dorsal Fins
TARONGA
Friday 30 January – BERNARD FANNING, supported by Little May
Saturday 31 January – BELLE AND SEBASTIAN, supported by Special Guests
Friday 6 February – PAUL KELLY PRESENTS THE MERRI SOUL SESSIONS featuring Clairy Browne, Kira Puru, & Vika and Linda Bull, supported by Hiatus Kaiyote
Saturday 7 February – YOU AM I, supported by Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders
Friday 13 February – SARAH BLASKO, supported by Luluc
Saturday 14 February – ANTHONY CALLEA PRESENTS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE SONGS OF GEORGE MICHAEL, supported by Caterina Torres
Friday 20 February – THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, supported by Caravãna Sun
Saturday 21 February – THE BAMBOOS, supported by Katalyst with special guests (Original beats set)
Friday 27 February – BOYS IN THE BAND – 50 years of hits!
Saturday 28 February – BJÖRN AGAIN
Friday 6 March – CONOR OBERST, supported by The Felice Brothers
Saturday 7 March – RUFUS WAINWRIGHT performing The Best of Rufus Wainwright, supported by Lucy Wainwright Roche
Friday 13 March – DAN SULTAN, supported by Benny Walker and Pierce Brothers
Saturday 14 March – JAMES MORRISON BIG BAND
Friday 20 March – SOMETHING FOR KATE, supported by Jen Cloher
Saturday 21 March – ROSS WILSON and Mental As Anything
